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MAX Diag Command Reference

This reference lists the diagnostic commands provided for WAN lines and ports. To use these commands, the operator must have sufficient permissions in the active Security profile. This chapter covers these topics:
Sys Diag commands
T1 Line Diag commands
E1 Line Diag commands
BRI/LT Line Diag commands
Host/Dual (Host/6) Port Diag commands
Modem Diag commands

Sys Diag commands

These commands appear in the System > Sys Diag menu. To use a command, highlight the command in the Sys Diag menu and press Enter.

Note: To use these commands, the operator must have sufficient permissions in the active Security profile.

Restore Cfg

This command restores a MAX configuration that was saved using the Save Cfg parameter, or transfers the profiles to another MAX. Because the Save Cfg command does not save passwords, the Restore Cfg command does not restore them. Follow these instructions to restore your configuration from backup:

  1. Verify that the Upload and Edit Security permissions are enabled in the active Security profile.

  2. Verify that the Term Rate parameter in the System profile is set to 9600.

  3. Verify that your terminal emulation program has a disk capture feature and an autotype feature, and that its data rate is set to 9600 baud.

  4. Connect the backup device to the MAX unit's Control port.

  5. Highlight Restore Cfg and press Enter.

  6. When the `Waiting for upload data" prompt appears, turn on the autotype function on your emulator and supply the filename of the saved MAX data.

  7. Verify that the configuration data is going to your terminal emulation screen and is being restored to the target MAX.

    The restore process is complete when the message "Upload complete--type any key to return to menu" appears on your emulator's display.

Save Cfg

 This command enables you to save the MAX configuration to a file. It does not save Security profiles or passwords.

Note: Using this command to save the configuration and then restoring it from the saved file clears all passwords.

Follow these instructions to save your configuration:

  1. Verify that the Download permission is enabled in the active Security profile.

  2. Verify that the Term Rate parameter in the System profile is set to 9600.

  3. Verify that your terminal emulation program has a disk capture feature and an autotype feature, and that is data rate is set to 9600 baud or lower.

  4. Connect the backup device to the MAX unit's Control port.

  5. Turn on the autotype function on your emulator, and start the save process by typing any key on the emulator.

  6. Highlight Save Cfg and press Enter.

  7. Verify that configuration data is being echoed to the terminal emulation screen and that the captured data is being written to a file on your disk.

    The save process is complete when the message Download complete--type any key to return to menu appears on your emulator's display. The backup file is an ASCII file.

  8. Turn off the autotype feature.

Use MIF

 This command switches to the MIF (Machine Interface Format) interface instead of the standard vt100 interface. You can also access MIF during a Telnet session or by setting Console to MIF in the System profile.

To return to the standard vt100 interface, press Ctrl-C.

Note: This command runs MIF only at the control port that makes the request (not system- wide). Similarly, Ctrl-C restores the standard vt100 interface only at the control port that makes the request.

Sys Reset

This command restarts the MAX and clears all calls without disconnecting the device from its power source. The MAX logs off all users, and returns user security to its default state. In addition, the MAX performs power-on self tests (POSTs) when it restarts. These POSTs are diagnostic tests. A system reset of a MAX causes momentary loss of T1 framing, and the T1 line might shut down. T1 framing is the way that data is encapsulated on a T1 line; if T1 framing is lost, the feedback from the MAX to the switch will be incorrect.

To perform a system reset, follow these steps:

  1. Highlight System Reset and press Enter.

    The MAX prompts you to confirm that you want to perform the reset.

  2. Confirm the reset.

    In addition to clearing calls, the MAX performs a series of POSTs. The POST display appears. If you do not see the POST display, press Ctrl-L. These messages may be displayed:

    While the yellow FAULT LED on the front panel remains solidly lit, the MAX checks system memory, configuration, installed modules, and T1 connections. If the MAX fails any of these tests, the FAULT LED remains lit or blinks. The alarm relay remains closed while the POST is running and opens when the POST completes successfully. When you see this message:

  3. Press any key to display the Main Edit menu.

Term Serv

 This command starts a terminal server session. The system displays the terminal-server command-line prompt (by default, "ascend%"). For information about the terminal server commands, type a question mark at the prompt. See the MAX ISP & Telecommuting Configuration Guide for more details about the terminal-server interface.

Upd Rem Cfg

This command (Upload Remote Configuration) opens a connection to a RADIUS server to upload the MAX terminal server banner, list of Telnet hosts, IP static routes, IP address pool, and other configuration information from the RADIUS user file. The MAX retrieves configuration from RADIUS at system startup or use of this command.

When you highlight Upd Rem Cfg and press Enter, the MAX opens a connection to the RADIUS server and uploads the configuration information.

When you upload this remote configuration information, keep the following information in mind:

T1 Line Diag commands

These commands appear in the Net/T1 > Line Diag menu. To use one of these commands, highlight the command and press Enter.

Line LB1

 This is a line loopback command for Line 1 in a T1 slot. It places a call from the MAX to itself over the WAN, and to send a number of packets over the connection. The loopback tests the MAX unit's ability to initiate and receive calls, and diagnoses whether the connection over the digital access line and the WAN is sound.

LLB occurs at the metallic interface to the line of the local MAX. Drop-and-Insert channels are also looped back. Do not activate LLB when a call is active on the line; doing so disrupts the data flow between the codecs connected to either end of the network line. The MAX responds to both the inband LLB signal and the Facility Data Link (FDL) LLB message. Therefore, a management device can put the MAX into LLB. A management device is a unit on a T1 line that measures the line's performance and can send management signals to other devices on the line.

To initiate a loopback test on the first T1 line, highlight Line LB1 and press Enter. After prompting for confirmation, the MAX starts the loopback test and the ALARM LED lights up. When you exit the menu option, the MAX automatically deactivates the loopback.

See the FDL parameter and FDL stats window for related information.

Line LB2

This is a line loopback command for Line 2 in a T1 slot. It places a call from the MAX to itself over the WAN, and to send a number of packets over the connection. The loopback tests the MAX unit's ability to initiate and receive calls, and diagnoses whether the connection over the digital access line and the WAN is sound.

LLB occurs at the metallic interface to the line of the local MAX. Drop-and-Insert channels are also looped back. Do not activate LLB when a call is active on the line; doing so disrupts the data flow between the codecs connected to either end of the network line. The MAX responds to both the inband LLB signal and the Facility Data Link (FDL) LLB message. Therefore, a management device can put the MAX into LLB. A management device is a unit on a T1 line that measures the line's performance and can send management signals to other devices on the line.

To initiate a loopback test on the second T1 line, highlight Line LB2 and press Enter. After prompting for confirmation, the MAX starts the loopback test and the ALARM LED lights up. When you exit the menu option, the MAX automatically deactivates the loopback.

See the FDL parameter and FDL stats window for related information.

Switch D Chan

This command swaps the status of the primary and secondary NFAS D channels. It applies only to T1 lines using NFAS signaling.

Clr Err1

This command clears the user error event register of line #1, but does not clear the performance registers for the line. To clear all performance registers for line #1, use Clr Perf1; to clear all performance registers for line #2, use Clr Perf2.

Note: Error events have no meaning for D4-framed lines. A D4 line uses the Superframe format to frame data at the physical layer. This format consists of 12 consecutive frames, separated by framing bits.

Clr Perf1

This command clears all performance registers for line #1, restarts the current time period, and begins accumulating new performance data.

See the FDL parameter and FDL stats window for related information.

Clr Err2

This command clears the user error event register of line #2, but does not clear the performance registers for the line. To clear all performance registers for line #1, use Clr Perf1; to clear all performance registers for line #2, use Clr Perf2.

Note: Error events have no meaning for D4 lines. A D4 line uses the Superframe format to frame data on the physical layer. This format consists of 12 consecutive frames, separated by framing bits.

See the FDL parameter and FDL stats window for related information.

Clr Perf2

This command clears all performance registers for line #2, restarts the current time period, and begins accumulating new performance data.

See the FDL parameter and FDL stats window for related information.

E1 Line Diag commands

These commands appear in the Net/E1 > Line Diag menu. To use one of these commands, highlight the command and press Enter.

Line LB1

 This is a line loopback command for Line 1 in an E1 slot. It places a call from the MAX to itself over the WAN, and to send a number of packets over the connection. The loopback tests the MAX unit's ability to initiate and receive calls, and diagnoses whether the connection over the digital access line and the WAN is sound.

LLB occurs at the metallic interface to the line of the local MAX. Do not activate LLB when a call is active on the line; doing so disrupts the data flow between the codecs connected to either end of the network line. The MAX responds to both the inband LLB signal and the Facility Data Link (FDL) LLB message. Therefore, a management device can put the MAX into LLB. A management device is a unit on an E1 line that measures the line's performance and can send management signals to other devices on the line.

To initiate a loopback test on the first E1 line, highlight Line LB1 and press Enter. After prompting for confirmation, the MAX starts the loopback test and the ALARM LED lights up. When you exit the menu option, the MAX automatically deactivates the loopback.

Line LB2

This is a line loopback command for Line 2 in an E1 slot. It places a call from the MAX to itself over the WAN, and to send a number of packets over the connection. The loopback tests the MAX unit's ability to initiate and receive calls, and diagnoses whether the connection over the digital access line and the WAN is sound.

LLB occurs at the metallic interface to the line of the local MAX. Drop-and-Insert channels are also looped back. Do not activate LLB when a call is active on the line; doing so disrupts the data flow between the codecs connected to either end of the network line. The MAX responds to both the inband LLB signal and the Facility Data Link (FDL) LLB message. Therefore, a management device can put the MAX into LLB. A management device is a unit on an E1 line that measures the line's performance and can send management signals to other devices on the line.

To initiate a loopback test on the second E1 line, highlight Line LB2 and press Enter. After prompting for confirmation, the MAX starts the loopback test and the ALARM LED lights up. When you exit the menu option, the MAX automatically deactivates the loopback.

BRI/LT Line Diag commands

These commands appear in the BRI/LT > Line Diag > Line N menu. To use one of these commands, highlight the command and press Enter.

Note: Maintenance functions supported by the BRI/LT driver use the BRI-U interface's embedded operations channel (EOC). The EOC transfers data from the exchange to the terminal side and vice versa without occupying either the B- or the D-channel. It is used to transmit diagnostic function and signaling information, for example:

The EOC monitor commands are sent in the M1, M2, and M3 bits of the U-superframe (refer to ANSI T1-601, from ANSI 1991 for more information about usage of the M1, M2, and M3 bits of the superframe).

The remote U interface/echo canceller provides internal counters for far-end and near-end block errors. A near-end block error (NEBE) indicates that the error has been detected in the receive direction. A far-end block error (FEBE) identifies errors in the transmission direction.

You can use the block error counters to monitor transmission quality at the U-interface. A block error is detected each time when the calculated checksum of the received data does not correspond to the control checksum transmitted in the successive superframe. One block error indicates that one U-superframe has not been transmitted correctly. The block error count does not provide information regarding the number of bit errors in the U-superframe, only that the CRC failed in that superframe. About every 4 seconds, a daemon running in the MAX obtains the remote block error counter values and displays their cumulative value in the block errors status screens.

The block error totals are obtained from the remote TA. These cumulative totals are reset when you clear the block error buffer(s) from the Line diagnostics submenu, or when you restart the MAX. The totals wrap back to zero when they reach 65535.

Note: See the Block Error status display in the BRI/LT status window for a description of the block error information displayed.

Line LoopBack

This command puts the line into loopback mode. When you highlight the Line Loopback command and press Enter, this screen appears:

Select 1 to use the loopback command. The Line loopback command is issued and test frames are sent continuously in the D channel until the command is cancelled. Frames transmitted have a length of 24 bytes. The frames differ in content and should cover every possible bit pattern.

Note: Only one loopback can be issued at a time on the same line. If another user attempts to invoke the loopback command for a line that is already in loopback mode, the following error message is displayed:

Because UnRq Corrupt CRC uses the same command to request that the remote cancel the loopback, UnRq Corrupt CRC is unavailable when the MAX exits loopback mode.

Display the LB Counters status screen to see the number of transmitted frames as opposed to the number of correctly received frames. The MAX continuously sends frames to the remote end. This means that when the MAX receives a frame that matches the transmitted frame in size (and the bytes of the received frame exactly match the bytes in transmitted frame), it sends a new frame out and increments the receive counter for that frame. When the MAX receives a frame that does not match the transmitted frame, it still sends out a new frame, but does not increment the receive counter for that frame. Also, when the MAX does not receive a frame back, the timeout between two consecutive transmitted frames is about 4 seconds.

Press ESC to cancel the Loopback function. The following message appears:

Corrupt CRC

 This command causes the BRI-U interface to permanently transmit inverted CRCs until cancelled. When this command is issued, the far-end block error should be viewed from the remote TA. It is used to test the NEBE and FEBE counters-transmission errors are simulated with artificially corrupted CRCs.

Uncorrupt CRC

This command cancels a previous Corrupt CRC command.

Rq Corrupt CRC

This command requests NT1 to corrupt the CRC to artificially simulate transmission errors. It is used to verify that the block error counters are working, or providing the right information. When issued, check the near-end block error.

Rq Uncorrupt CRC

This command requests NT1 to return to normal.

Clr NEBE

This command clears the near-end block error (NEBE) counter.

Clr FEBE

This command clears the far-end block error (FEBE) counter.

Host/Dual (Host/6) Port Diag commands

This command appears in the Host/Dual (Host/6) > Port N Menu > Port Diag menu. To use it, highlight the command and press Enter.

Note: To use this commands, the operator must have sufficient permissions in the active Security profile.

Local LB

This command activates a local loopback test. In a local loopback test, data originating at the local site is looped back to its originating port without going out over the WAN. It is as though a data mirror were held up to the data at the WAN interface, and the data were reflected back to the originator. The WAN interface is the port on the MAX that is connected to a WAN line.

The AIM port on the MAX must be idle when you run the local loopback test; it can have no calls online.

Highlight Local LB and press Enter. When the local loopback test is in progress, control moves to the Local LB menu, which presents a set of parameters you can modify. Press Enter to cycle through the parameters in the Local LB menu, and press the selector (>) or Right Arrow key to toggle between the settings for each parameter.

When the loopback screen shows 56K or 64K channels looped back, think of the channels as simulated. The Call Status window displays the loopback serial data rate. You can calculate the data speed by multiplying the number of simulated channels by the data rate. Changes you make take effect immediately, and remain in effect until you end the local loopback test. Terminate the test by pressing the Left Arrow key.

When you end the test, all control signals revert to the state they were in when the test began.

Modem Diag commands

These commands appear in the V.34 (V.42) Modem > Modem Diag menu. To use one of these commands, highlight the command and press Enter.

Modem #N (N=1-8, 1-12)

 This command temporarily disables a digital modem. A digital modem that has been temporarily disabled without disrupting existing connections is quiesced. Active calls are not torn down. When an active call drops, that modem is added to the disabled modem list and is not available for use. If all modems are on the disabled list, incoming callers receive a busy signal until the modems have been restored for service. When you re-enable the quiesced modem, a delay of up to 20 seconds may occur before the modem becomes available for service.

Note: Booting the MAX restores all quiesced lines, slots, and ports to service.

You can specify one of the following values:

To quiesce a digital modem:

  1. Open the Modem Diag submenu in the Modem profile and select a modem.

    The modem ports on a slot card are numbered starting with #1 for the leftmost port on the card. Select ModemSlot to quiesce all available modems on that slot card.

  2. Press Enter to disable (quiesce) the modem, or to re-enable it, depending on its current setting.

    For example,

    Note: To quiesce or re-enable all modems in the slot, select ModemSlot instead.

  3. Close the Modem profile.

ModemSlot

 This command temporarily disables a digital modem slot in the MAX without disrupting existing connections. A digital modem slot card that has been temporarily disabled without disrupting existing connections is "quiesced." Active calls are not torn down. When an active call drops, that modem is added to the disabled modem list and is not available for use. If all modems are on the disabled list, incoming callers receive a busy signal until the modems have been restored for service. When you re-enable the quiesced modem slot, a delay of up to 20 seconds may occur before the modems become available for service.

Note: Booting the MAX restores the quiesced slot to service.

You can specify one of the following values:


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